{Party} Ideas for setting the table for a holiday meal

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, Entertaining, Holidays

Tags

*I know I posted images of table settings for Thanksgiving, but I really love the inspiration for something a bit different each time I get to set the table for a dinner or lunch. I hope you’re able to retrieve some inspiration for your holiday entertaining.

One week down, already! Let’s all take a collective deep breath and slow down. We need to enjoy the beauty that the season has to offer. Make time to sip hot cocoa or a cup of tea as you review your ‘to do’ list.

This week I’m sharing table settings dressed for the season. I realized a long time ago that while I thoroughly enjoy setting a table, most guests are in your home to share some quality time with you, and while they may subconsciously enjoy the lovely setting, its not as important as you may think it is. That doesn’t keep me from always trying to make it as special as possible, but it does mean we can all relax and keep it simple. It’s all about enjoying the moment this year.

This is my table for most Christmas entertaining. The center piece is made up of a bronze reindeer I purchased one winter while visiting a friend in Snowmass, CO. I love him and I have a florist set him in a low container with florist foam and then it’s filled with various evergreen pine and pine cones and faux berries. As long as it’s watered as needed, it lasts the entire month.

{This is last year’s arrangement, this year I went with white berries, pheasant feathers and pinecones. I’d love to say that it’s still at the florist, but it is in fact sitting on my dining room table. It’s just been a crazy week and I did not get a picture of it!}

This is such a lovely, simple place setting, don’t you agree? White twinkle lights and candlelight, what could be better?

Candlelight, whether achieved with flameless candles or real, makes any tablescape magical.

{sorry, unknown}

You can never go wrong with plaid for Christmas! Throw in a few nutcrackers and you have the perennial favorite for the season.

I like the rustic coasters and name card, paired with sheet music. I wonder if this is for a caroling party? Wouldn’t that be a fun idea?

{via}

This is really a great way to introduce some plaid to the table, a couple of plaid throws doing double duty as table toppers. I do love an English styled room for the holidays. So inviting.

All white, even the Christmas trees are set with white lights and nothing else. It’s simply elegant.

Delores over at Vignette Design always sets a pretty table.

{via}

Rustic is a favorite look of mine, this setting makes me think it’s a house in a beautiful mountain town….hmm, I wonder.

{via}

This is my table set for New Years Eve last year.

What do you like to set the table with this time of year?

I hope you’ll tune in for next week’s installment—“Christmas Cozy”. Rooms that are sure to invite you in and help you relax, all the while in a cozy setting.

{Party} Autumn Celebrity Dinner

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, House and Home

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Diane Keaton, Ellen DeGenerous, Jon Stewart, Meryl Streep, Table Settings, Tom Brokaw, Willie Geist

Those that know me probably already know that I prefer the cooler months of the year. When the first promise of fall weather hits Southern California I’m energized, let the entertaining begin.

[By the way, I do love summer entertaining as well, I’m a party girl at heart.]

Eventually I ran to Minneapolis, where it’s cold, and I figured I’d keep better – Rhoda Morgenstern

We’ve been doing quite a bit of entertaining lately. “Entertaining” for us means setting a nice table, cooking a simple meal and having a relatively smallish group over for good food, nice wine and great conversation.

Since setting the table is one of the perks to entertaining for me, this post is mainly to share some seasonal table settings I hope will inspire you. To mix things up a bit, in addition to table setting ideas, I thought I’d share a list of guests I’d invite over in a heartbeat if I thought they wouldn’t report me to the authorities as a stalker crazy lady! You’ve undoubtedly read interviews where they ask you, who, alive or dead, would you like to have dinner with? Well, I’m doing it one step better…I’ve thought about this, this list is of people I’d like to talk to, even just casually. I don’t need Einstein, although I’ve read he was quite a jovial fellow. These are people that are alive and seem like genuinely nice and fun people.

Also, since I don’t like enormous parties when I entertain, I’ve only invited 6, with Mr. B and me that makes a very doable 8 at the dinner table. That also gives me a head start on subsequent celebrity dinners…there are so many more folks I’d invite if I could. So, first on the list:

1. Diane Keaton, she may not be exactly as fun as I perceive her in the movies she’s been in (how does one really know, right?), but she loves to decorate, so I know we’d have topics in common. Plus, I love that she seems genuine, not overly self-possessed.

2. Jon Stewart, politics aside, is there anyone that gives a better interview?

3. Meryl Streep, there are no words, rather there are so many adjectives I could use to describe her, but her name, for me, is synonymous with fabulous.

4. Tom Brokaw, I grew up listening to him on our local news station, back in the day. Then, as a Today show enthusiast, I watched him all the years he was there. I just really, really like him.

5. Ellen DeGenerous, she’ll keep us laughing.

and last but not least…

6. Willie Geist, the son of Bill Geist of CBS Sunday Morning, appears on Morning Joe (MSNBC) and does the third hour on the Today show. He’s smart and funny and I love him like one of our sons. He’s a guy that fits in with old and young people alike.

As any skilled party planner will tell you, once you have the guest list you can begin your plans for table setting and menu. We’re going to jump right to the table settings since that is a major part of the fun for me.

{source}

The ever talented Jenny Steffens Hobick of Everyday Occasions published a post about fall table setting with muted colors, so pretty. Oh, and did I mention she recently opened an online store selling some of the best tools for entertaining.

Yvonne of Stone Gable shared her table setting for an autumn high tea back in 2011 and that table is still one of my all time favorites, be sure to visit the post if you like autumn and blue and white.

Carolyn Roehm has written so many great books, but her book, Passion for Parties is a constant source of inspiration to me.

Martha Stewart never disappoints and I appreciate her ability to make simple components come together to create a pretty table.

Nancy’s Daily Dish features some great table settings for the season. Her Etsy shop sells trasferware of all kinds. This is such a great autumn table setting.

Delores, over at Vignette Design always provides me with good ideas for whatever season when it come to table top design.

Even though this tablescape doesn’t have the strictly traditional autumn touches, its a subtle and lovely table for this time of year.

{source}

The sisters at Providence Ltd. never disappoint…this rustic table is great and completely out of the box.

{Southern Accents ~ oh, how I miss that magazine}

Who would be on your celebrity list for a dinner invitation?

{Party} Some seasonal finds via blog land

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

recipes, Table Settings

I believe autumn is at least partly responsible for the extra enthusiasm I experience during this time of year, that or the cooler weather which aids with slumber and allows me to stay more energized. Therefore I feel like cooking more, trying new recipes. Does this happen to you?

~I hope you aren’t sick of my speaking of Autumn and the seasonal traditions and go along with it~

{via}

Blog land is bursting at the seams with great ideas and inspiration for all things fall, but there have been a few recipes that were so tempting I thought I’d share them with you.

If you’re going to eat, you know you’ll have to set the table so I’m including some nice table settings too. [I’m a full-service blogger]

{via Party Resources}

We don’t have maple trees in our area but we do have a tree (Liquid Amber) that gives us a show of color, but the branches are very high and it’s not on our property so you can see my dilemma. I wonder if the branches (above) are real or faux?

Let’s start with this delicious Skinny Spiced Latte Recipe from Yummy Mummy Kitchen. Marina nearly ruined my day when she mentioned that the Spiced Pumpkin Latte you get at most coffee houses was 390 calories! It’s not that I have them that often but I didn’t know this calorie fact, they might as well be considered meal-replacement at 390 calories. I know, I know, just order it with non-fat milk. Ugh, not nearly as tasty. So, maybe you will find this to be a delicious, low calorie replacement…I’m going to try them.

{via Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte :: by Yummy Mummy Kitchen, Marina

Pumpkin Whipped Cream:
makes about 25 (2.5 tablespoon servings)

1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
10 ounces TruWhip (available at many grocery stores including Ralphs and Whole Foods)
sprinkles or additional pumpkin pie spice for garnish, optional

Place pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until combined and smooth. My organic canned pumpkin was quite hard and this beating helps it smooth out. Add the whipped topping and beat in just until combined. Transfer to a 11×7 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Alternatively an 8-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish could be used. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

To make lattes:
8 ounces brewed coffee
1/4 cup warmed low-fat milk (or however much milk you like)
Stevia to taste

Add milk to your coffee and sweeten to taste with Stevia or your favorite sweetener. Top with pumpkin whipped topping from the freezer. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice or sprinkles, if desired.

Everyday Occasions by Jenny Steffens Hobick had a soul-warming soup recipe that was hard for me to pass up. She has some delicious soup recipes, and for me, this time of year is ideal for soup and crusty bread and maybe a salad.

Chorizo & Vegetable Cream Soup | Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Grilled Cheese

1 pound of chorizo sausage
3 carrots, diced
1 cup of mushrooms, sliced
1/2 small white onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, diced
1 large can of whole peeled tomatoes, hand crushed with juice
4 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup of cream
4 cups of fresh spinach

fresh mozzarella
tomato, sliced
fresh basil
baguette, sliced
olive oil
1 clove of garlic, whole

Remove the sausage from its casing and break it up into small/medium pieces. Cook it in a sauté pan on a medium/high heat, rendering some of the fat. Add the carrot, mushrooms and onion and cook until soft, approx. 5-7 minutes. Add garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the tomatoes by squeezing them in one at a time. Continue to break them into bite size pieces with the spoon. Add the juice from the can of tomatoes.

Add the chicken broth and cream. Add spinach. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Slice the baguette, pile with mozzarella, tomato and basil and top with a second piece of bread. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook sandwiches for 3-4 minutes just until they start to brown. Flip and repeat. Rub a raw clove of garlic on the crusty sides of bread.

ƒ ƒ ƒ

I really like the simplicity of the table setting below. The array of interesting colors that pumpkins come in work with almost any decor. I especially like the white baby boo pumpkins.

For our main course, this recipe is from my good friend, Jean. She prepared this dish for a ladies’ luncheon years ago and it continues to be a seasonal favorite. Super easy too. I do not have a photograph of the dish but I promise, it’s really pretty.

Chicken/Wild Rice Casserole

Ingredients

6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked
3 cups chicken broth
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
¼ cup butter
2 packages Uncle Ben’s White & Wild rice, cooked*
1 cup sour cream
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
¾ cup Craisins
1 cup cashews

Preparation Instructions

Shred cooked chicken breasts, set aside. Melt butter in skillet and cook mushrooms until most of the liquid is absorbed.

*Cook rice according to package directions [omitting the spice packages] using 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup water.

Combine soup, sour cream, cashews and Craisins with chicken and rice. Spread in 9” x 13” baking dish and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until hot.

{via Stone Gable}

and finally, for dessert…

A site I’ve only recently discovered is one that is guaranteed to provide constant entertainment…talk of the house is written by Kelly. A wife, mother and school teacher, Kelly lives in Georgia and her posts are always informative and fun. She recently posted her family recipe for Apple Cake. I plan to bake it this weekend but visit HERE for some mouth-watering pictures to entice. {I cannot figure out how to copy a picture from her site so you’ll have to visit, but you won’t regret it}.

Fresh Apple Cake:

3 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 ¼ c. oil

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

3 c. freshly shredded apples

Grease and flour a tube or Bundt cake pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together the flour, soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl whisk the eggs together. Then whisk the oil in with the eggs. Pour the eggs and oil mixture into the sifted flour mix. Beat to mix well. Beat in the sugar and the vanilla. Stir in the apples and the pecans. Pour all into the greased pan, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool only a few minutes, then turn out on your cake stand.

Icing:

½ stick butter

2 Tbsp. milk

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a medium pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes. Brush, or pour, on to the warm cake.

Serve with whipped cream.

{via Party Resources}

Those of you who can’t quite give up summer could set the table with a nautical theme and sunflowers. A great blending of a season ending (the nautical) and a season that’s arriving (the fall colors of a sunflower).

{via Hampton Hostess}

Are you cooking more now that the weather has cooled? Share any easy recipes you have tried with me, I’d love to hear from you.

I’m joining the party over at Centsational Girl, seasonal foods, yummy.

{GHP} Preparing for Thanksgiving…Fall installment #4

22 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Family, Food

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Table Settings, Thanksgiving

Whether you’re here (U.S.A) …

~or~

abroad…

Thanksgiving Day is looming and since we have the good fortune to be celebrating with our future in-laws (for more on this story) in our home, I’m in full turkey day countdown.

I really do enjoy this time of year. Much like those that love the warmer months of summer and seem to get a boost of energy during “their” favorite season, I have to say, I feel my best in these fall months. I’m always motivated to clean the yard, clean out my closet and drawers and do a deep cleaning on the house in anticipation of the holidays.

Getting the opportunity to cook Thanksgiving dinner in our home is a treat. I enjoy entertaining and love the planning process as much as the food prep details. Our table will be set for 8 and I’ve got the centerpiece already in place…

{Note: I will probably not use Redfern, our pheasant, due to his size; don’t want him to accidentally end up with gravy on his tail so he’ll be moved to the side buffet and I’ll feature a low spread of fall leaves and pumpkins down the center of the table}

…so it was just a matter of determining the dishes and linens and menu. I have the table set-up figured out, now I just need to finalize the menu. {Ahem, I’m working on it!}

Meanwhile, I thought I’d post a few pictures of inspiration in case you’re still working on the details of your final menu and table setting.

via Small Stump + Studio Choo

I love Small Stump’s unique floral design style. They always feature fresh arrangements using A-typical flowers. They’re in Northern California, wish they were closer to Irvine.

unknown

If you have the good fortune of great weather, maybe you would want to take the meal outdoors. I’m thankful for nature and this setting would drive that home.

via Stone Gable

Yvonne, of Stone Gable set this table for a high tea…the blue and white in contrast to the orange is staggeringly beautiful to me. I love her creativity with this table setting.

via Flair by Joe Nye, order here

I’m not sure I’d think to put red and orange together for the fall, but when you think about it Mother Nature does it each and every October/November, and she knows what she’s doing.

via Ralph Lauren

The neutral palate of the Ralph Lauren table is appealing. His hammered bowl fits the occasion.

via Toby West via Veranda

This table setting is a long time favorite…but then I’m all about the barley twist candlesticks, horn handled mugs and brown and white transferware!

Something like this would be a fun way to greet guests as they approach the front door, but you could also use an urn with a pumpkin on the table, like this…

~or~

Above 2 images via Vignette Design

I hope you are all enjoying the season and that you aren’t stressing too much about the cooking, planning and cleaning involved if you’re hosting this event. There’s always dessert…

Happy November!

A few of my favorite things about the season

08 Wednesday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Entertaining, Traditions

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

details of a home, Entertaining, holiday, Table Settings

I love this time of year…everything about it makes me happy. I like cooler weather (I realize there are two distinct camps on this, I have friends that are warm-weather fans) I must have lived in Iceland in another life time! Anyway, here are a few of the things I like best about the season…

image via BHG

I guess it goes without saying, I like the decorating part of the season the best. I think it’s fun to create new ways to dress up the house. I’m a traditionalist at heart but its fun to try out new ideas for the home using greens and seasonal fruit, nuts and the like. I’ve not done this (above image) but once—hanging wreaths in windows side-by-side. I think it looks great indoors and/or out. The reason I haven’t hung live wreaths since the first time is that the hardwood floors were constantly filled with pine needles so maybe I need to find a different spot…but it does look festive and pretty, don’t you think?

image via Slim Paley (you will enjoy her site, visit HERE)

Right up there with decorating is entertaining. I’ve said it before, my house is definitely a winter house. It looks it’s best when I have a fire in the fireplace and candlelight is emanating throughout. (Maybe we all look better in candle light, I know I do). But having good friends over for dinner with Christmas music in the background—good conversation, decent wine and comfort food, what could be better? (Fans of summer need not respond :-))

image via Country Living

Along with entertaining comes using my Christmas Tree dishes by Spode. Many of you may know of my disease—I’m addicted to dishes, all patterns and makes, and I’ve read that there is NO cure. By the way, I don’t have the red transfer ware pattern above but believe me I’ve eyed it with more than faint enthusiasm!

image via Country Living

And at the end of a beautiful day of holiday traditions I like to climb into bed, between my flannel sheets and catch some zzzzz.

Don’t forget to get your rest during this busy month! Happy December.

Gearing up for Thanksgiving

03 Wednesday Nov 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Party Planning

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Table Settings, Thanksgiving

Ahhh, Norman Rockwell...he set the bar pretty high!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fact that it’s all about the food, oh, and the giving thanks part. I’m pretty thankful almost daily for a whole host of things so I guess that part fell behind the good food part! Sorry. No gift buying, no costumes, just great food and football (and gratitude).

Mention Thanksgiving and I’m sure a good third of the population cringe at the idea of getting the family together. After all, not every family is a cohesive Norman Rockwell family! As an only child I dreamt of what it would be like to have siblings. When I married my hubby I realized that since he too was an only child we’d be a small family. This Thanksgiving was doomed to be even smaller since Son#1 and his lovely wife are living in Austin, Texas and Grand baby #1 is due the day before Thanksgiving.

I guess if you don't like turkey this image doesn't make your mouth water!

{Image courtesy of Martha Stewart}

So, Son #2, hubby and I were thrilled to be invited to our good friends home. Cayley and I have shared a passion for entertaining and cooking for years.

Isn't this simple but pretty? Centerpieces are so much fun.

{Our families history goes back to our oldest son and their oldest son being in grade school together and ultimately the same fraternity at the same college} Cayley and I will collaborate on menu and cooking duties. I’ll post the menu once it’s in place.

Not a flower in site but still lovely.

Oh, and the best part? Cayley and her hubby have 4 lovely adult children—gratitude will be abundant this Thanksgiving.

{Image via Martha Stewart}

Martha Stewart gives directions on how to create these.

More Thanksgiving details to come…enjoy November!

Thank you Notes

30 Wednesday Jun 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

making thank you notes, Table Settings

When I’m invited to someone’s house for lunch or dinner part of the fun for me is observing what clever and creative table setting, flower arrangement and menu my friends and family come up with. Not long ago I attended a ladies luncheon and my friend’s table was so beautiful I took a picture of it.

Isn't this a pretty table setting? I love it.

While uploading the pictures to my computer I came up with an idea that I thought I’d share…

Michael's card stock is sold individually or in a tablet containing several colors.

When you’d like to create a special thank you note this is fun and easy. Print the picture (sizing it to the card/envelop you are going to use). For the notecard I purchased cardstock from Michael’s and made my own card (fold over style). Paper Source has pre-cut blank cards in a variety of colors (and matching envelopes all of which go on sale from time to time (especially if its a paper color that they’ve discontinued).

If you have never been to a Paper Source store prepare to be amazed! If you don’t have one of their stores in your area you can shop online (click the link–not the logo— above). The Paper Source folks make buying online super easy and they have a blog where you can get some great ideas—and NO, I don’t get paid by them to rave about them!

I used 1 color of card stock for the card then used another color to frame the picture. Use a glue stick to adhere each layer to the card.

Now, once you have your picture glued to the card you’re going to use you then can either type or write your thank you note on the inside and then enclose it in a vellum envelop.